Meditations on God, His Word, and His World (under the grace found only because of Christ Crucified)

Friday, May 24, 2013

What does it mean to pray in Jesus' name?

Did you know that the Bible never commands us to say, "in Jesus' name" at the end of our prayers? So, why do we do it? Well, because Jesus commanded and encouraged us to pray in His name (John 14:13-14). But, He wasn't commanding us to say, "in Jesus' name." He was commanding us to pray in His name. So, what does that mean? Well, it means a whole lot more than simply saying 3 words at the end of our prayers. It is an attitude and recognition. Here is my attempt to get at what it means:Praying in
Jesus’ name means recognizing that it is only through Jesus that we can ask
anything of God.We must come to
the Father acknowledging that, without the atonement of Jesus, He would not
even hear us.

Praying in
Jesus’ name means praying for what will bring Him most glory.

“In Jesus’ name”
is another way to say, “for Jesus’ glory.

Praying in
Jesus’ name means praying in submission to His revealed will.

“In Jesus’ name”
is another way to say, “if it be according to Your will.”

Paul Miller, A Praying Life, p. 134.

“Imagine that your prayer is
a poorly dressed beggar reeking of alcohol and body odor, stumbling toward the
palace of the great king. You have become your prayer. As you shuffle toward
the barred gate, the guards stiffen. Your smell has preceded you. You stammer out
a message for the great king: ‘I want to see the king.’

Your words are barely
intelligible, but you whisper one final word, ‘Jesus, I come in the name of
Jesus.’ At the name of Jesus, all of a sudden, the palace comes alive. The
guards snap to attention, bowing low in front of you. Lights come on, and the
door flies open. You are ushered into the palace and down a long hallway into
the throne room of the great king, who comes running to you and wraps you in
his arms.

The name of Jesus gives my
prayers royal access. They get through. Jesus isn’t just the Savior of my soul.
He’s also the Savior of my prayers. My prayers come before the throne of God as
the prayers of Jesus. ‘Asking in Jesus’ name’ isn’t another thing I have to get
right so my prayers are perfect. It is one more gift of God because my prayers
are so imperfect.”